The Young and the Restless

Second time's a charm

Last year we explored around quite a bit while we were at the beach house. This year we wanted to mostly stay put, except for two exceptions. The first was Wharariki Beach with it's endless rolling sand dunes. When we went last year it was so windy that the sand felt like pins stabbing into our skin. We stayed long enough for Ryder to fall asleep under my dress, then vowed to come back the following year. We lucked out to get such amazing weather almost the entire week we were there and absolutely loved coming back and spending a day at one of the most incredibly beautiful beaches I've ever seen. And we've seen a lot.

The second stop was Totaranui Bay in Abel Tasman. Last summer this was our last stop after a long day of hiking and exploring. We underestimated how long and trecherous the drive was over the mountain on a single lane gravel road. We finally got there and were down to the last crumbs of food. The kids were exhausted and starving and the closest store was an hour away.  Needless to say, we didn't spend as much time here as we wanted to, but were completely in awe of the vivid orange sand against the crystal blue waters outlined by the lush green forest and knew we wanted to come back. This place is unreal. Both times that we've been here we feel like we're on a movie set. As we headed over this time, we patted ourselves on the back for being so much more prepared, only to realize we totally left the cooler full of food back at the house. A quick u-turn and fifteen minutes later we were back on the road and headed to paradise.

Yes, my legs are totally fried. Even with sunscreen this sun is still so intense. #gingerproblems

I had one of those mom moments here. The one where I want to memorize everything about this little space in time. The way the golden sand stuck on Kylie's sun tanned shoulders.  The freckles scattered across Jayden's nose and the way his eyes disappear when he smiles. The silhouette of Maddox searching the crevices of the rocks for crabs, his whispy hair blowing in the wind. The way Ryder's swim shirt is stretched tight over his little belly. And the way Jason is right in the middle of them all while I have the luxury of sitting alone quietly on the beach just soaking it all in. I love Kelle Hampton's blog, she has a way of putting into words just what I'm thinking. She described the need to reach out and give your kids an extra squeeze for your future self who wishes you could go back in time and just hold them like that for a moment. I did just that. Tousled that hair, brushed off that sand, kissed that forehead, held them a little tighter on my lap all wrapped up tight in a towel and said a silent prayer of gratitude for each one of them and the blessing I have of being their mother.